Christopher Keane in Chisora camp

Walsall's Christopher Keane has become a sparring partner for Dereck Chisora in the wake of his aborted fight with Stephen Simmons.

The 26-year-old was left match fit but without a fight when Frank Warren, who manages both boxers, pulled the plug on the show's coverage.

The bill at Wolverhampton Civic Hall last Friday night went on without him and the proposed bout has now been scrapped altogether.

Keane instead went to London to help with the training of Chisora, ahead of his controversial fight against David Haye at Upton Park on July 14.

The unbeaten cruiserweight took what he could from the experience and admitted he had to be ring sharp just to survive.

He said: "I only did two rounds but it was a good experience, his trainer was impressed and I should be back down there next week.

"He's strong and just keeps coming forward, he's about 18 stone so you have to keep your concentration against him.

"If Haye doesn't keep his concentration, I reckon Chisora could take him. One punch could change it all."

Keane and Simmonds pitted the 2009 ABA super heavyweight champion versus the bronze medallist from the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

But the British Boxing Board of Control refused to sanction the 10-round contest as a British title eliminator, which forced Keane's pull out.

Warren's camp looked to switch the fight to Simmons' native Scotland and they confirmed a big bill for north of the border this week.

Ricky Burns will defend his WBO world lightweight title against Kevin Mitchell on a hugely-anticipated show in Glasgow on September 22.

A home bout for Simmons against Keane seems ideal fettle for the undercard but the Walsall fighter insists it's not his decision to make.

He said: "I could, possibly, be persuaded to take the fight but my manager and trainers make the decisions for me and I trust them.

"All I am bothered about is fighting, getting the win and getting paid, I just turn up and jump straight in at the deep end!

"I will fight anybody, no matter what record they have got, it doesn't faze me one bit."